The Backlash of Bitterness...



breaking the cycle of bitterness in our livesHi Ladies! On our journey to doing ourselves well, the number one thing we must do is identify those things that hinder us from moving forward. For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be tackling some of the issues we as women face and solutions to help us on the road to doing ourselves well. I’ll be reposting some of my older post, and this week’s post will be about bitterness. Yes bitterness...you may know it as agony, hostility, distress, anguish, harshness, misery, sarcasm or pain. If we don’t deal with it ladies, it will eventually overtake us and make us miserable! 



 Bitterness is an awful pill to swallow, believe me…been there, done that! 

It can grow from many things; when life keeps giving us blow after blow after blow, or we could just hate our present situation so much that we allow our unhappiness to grow into bitterness, or sometimes, it may be as simple as us allowing something or someone to occupy our thoughts. Whatever the reasons… bitterness can manifest itself in many ways. We can retreat to what comes naturally… letting it get in our hearts, allowing it to simmer and then lashing out; all while our poor, unsuspecting victims have NO IDEA it is headed their way! Or, we can hold it in, let it seethe and allow it to make us cynical, thinking the worst about everything and everyone! Bitterness makes you get worked up about the smallest things…or better yet, getting worked up about the smallest things, over time, can make you bitter…hmmm, never thought about it that way, did you! You may say, “but, I don’t lash out”;  this may be true, but, you do give the “silent treatment” or the “cold shoulder”, which in most cases, can be even worse. 

Don’t let the only thing your loved ones (especially your children and/or spouse), know about you is that all you do is complain and are always ticked off about something! Stop the cycle NOW, if you don’t, your children will grow into adults who play out the same scenario; not realizing it stemmed from the record mommy played over and over again! We should all examine our hearts and make sure we’re not letting seeds of bitterness take root, and if we have…uproot them! Turn a new leaf…we should let the only thing people know us for, is that we're a person who loves life! I beg of you my sisters; allow Jesus (The Healer), to heal your heart today! Proverbs 4:23, Hebrews 12:14-15. 


For those who are interested, my husband taught an excellent series, entitled “Treatment for the Root of Bitterness”, which can be found by clicking HERE on the bookstore page of our ministry’s website at Word Empowerment Zone Ministries.

All Rights Reserved copyright© 2012-2013 Michell Pulliam “Prowess and Pearls” Devotionals by Michell Pulliam



Having a blast serving Him !

xoxoxo
Michell





41 comments:

  1. I agree that the silent treatment or the cold shoulder is often just as bad, if not worse, than lashing out. Bitterness is a slippery slope - thanks for touching on this subject today.

    Warmly,
    Meredith

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    1. Hi Meredith! Yes it is just as bad. The cold shoulder communicates to the other person that they're not even worth having a conversation with... Thanks so much for dropping by, have a blessed week!;-)

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  2. Hi Michelle, Thanks for visiting me. Thank your for sharing this post. Going through a stressful situation right now...Very much needed it.

    Vickie

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    1. Hi Vickie...you're so welcome! Praying the situation you're going through will work out for your good and that your week will be filled with peace! Thanks for stopping by...have a blessed week!

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  3. This is a good reminder, Michell. Bitterness is such an ugly feeling. It's only when we rid ourselves of all the bitter thoughts and memories in our heart and mind are we able to find peace in ourselves. And only after that can everything else follow.

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    1. Yes Anne, it is an UGLY feeling and the only thing that helps is the peace that comes from letting Jesus heal our hearts. Thanks for stopping by my friend...have a blessed week!;-)

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  4. Hi I am a new follower to your lovely blog (via GFC) and found you through "I Love My Online Friends GFC Blog Hop". I would love it if you follow me back

    my blog: www.wilsontom.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Wilson...thanks so much and thanks for the follow...headed over to your blog now! May you have a wonderful week!;-)

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  5. I just blogged about something similar to this. Thanks for the extra info too!

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    1. Ha...don't you love how the Holy Spirit works Ren! Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed week! ;-)

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  6. I appreciated reading this. This is such a great subject & I'm glad you're going to drive it home over the next few weeks. I know I'm guilty of complaining. Thank you for calling it to my attention. Sometimes we need to hear it from a source other than whom were complaining to. I can't believe you haven't been blogging all these years. We need to hear from you. Keep them coming! Joi @ http://rxfitnesslady.com

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    1. Awww...thanks Joi! My husband taught me through his pastoring to not teach on a subject until I've learned it myself..he's a great teacher, lol! Bitterness is something that will creep up on you if you don't recognize it at the beginning, because often times it starts off as just complaining and who doesn't complain about something, right? ;-) You're right, of course we're thinking the other person is overreacting when they call us out, lol! Thanks so much for dropping by and chiming in Joi...have a blessed week! ;-)

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  7. SO true Michell!! Thank you for this reminder to not let our resentments pile up and ooze out in other places. SO important to always stay on course with our feelings and realize when we need to pull back and clean our hearts out!!

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    1. Oh yes Chris! It is our responsibility to keep ourselves in check! We must constantly examine our heart to see if there's anything in it that is contradictory to what the Word says. Thanks so much for dropping my friend...have a blessed week lady! ;-)

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  8. So true. Thanks for sharing.
    http://www.practicallyperfectprincess.com

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    1. Thank you and thanks so much for dropping by...have a blessed week! ;-)

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  9. Very, Very, True. I lived in bitterness for many years stemming from my childhood and divorce. I learned that I poisoning my kids and decided to change.

    Also, I look at my brother who is 19 years older than me and I saw how he lives-alone, mad and bitter. I decided to change and not to go that route.

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    1. Wow! That's one of the main reasons to get it out of our lives...I refuse to grow old and become some mad crazed woman because I didn't allow my heart to be healed. So glad you decided to let go of it(I'm sure you are too)! Besides, life is so much sweeter with it gone! Thanks for stopping by...have a blessed day!

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  10. Would u like to follow each other on Gfc,Fb or Twitter?

    My blog
    www.donnaiveh.blogspot.com

    xoxo

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  11. And it is a good breeding ground for all the demons of sicknesses and diseases too, plus we cannot go into heaven in it.
    Thanks for this post Michell, have a super blessed day!
    Love

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    1. Hi my friend...so good to hear from you! Yes Ugochi...it opens the door for all those foul spirits! Thanks for stopping by...have a super blessed day as well! ;-)

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  12. Love this and thanks for all of the wisdom and words! Sending love from New York City, hope you are well. Please follow me! & like me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Janice-Tran/348767021880027) ! I also recently entered a contest to be ELF Cosmetics new fresh face. Please vote for me here: http://www.exploremodeling.com/Casting/elfCosmetics2013/77855/Janice_Tran.aspx I so appreciate it! <3
    xx
    Janice
    <3

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    1. Hi Janice! Thanks so much for dropping by and following...headed over to your blog now! Have a wonderful rest of your week!

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  13. This is a wonderful post Michell! Unfortunatly in past relationships I am guilty of both! Lashing out after allowing anger to manifest in me AND having a cold shoulder to someone that has done me wrong! I have learned though tthat getting rid of the ill feelings makes me feel better in the long run.

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    1. Hi! Yes, it does make you feel sooo much better in the long run! Thanks for dropping by...have a blessed rest of your week!;-)

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  14. This reminds me of the verse, "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." Hebrews 12:15 (You mentioned this verse.) It is so true that bitterness causes us to be discontented. Besides getting rid of the bitterness, it helps be thankful for what God has given me. "But godliness with contentment is great gain." I Timothy 6:6

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    1. Oh yes Susan! Thankfulness always makes us remember just how good we have it! I wrote a post about this, entitled "Throw your hands up". Thanks so much for dropping by...have a blessed week! ;-)

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  15. Oh girl. I struggle with this sometimes. It's so hard to release those thoughts and feelings. Hanging onto bitterness is like poison to our souls.

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    1. Oh yes Adrienne, I so agree! Once you get past it and realize that letting it go is soooo much better...it's easier to release! Thanks for stopping by...have a blessed day! ;-)

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  16. It is amazing how bitterness starts so small. And, like the snowball effect, it continues to grow to great magnitudes. When we finally stare it in the face, we wonder how something that started so small is now so great. Dealing with bitterness is a challenge for so many that can't be ignored. Thanks for the reminder. Great post!

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    1. Thanks so much! No, it can't be ignored...that's when it creeps up on you; because your guard is down! Thanks so much for stopping by...have a blessed week! ;-)

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  17. Hi Elisa...thanks so much! Headed to your blog shortly...have a great week! ;-)

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  18. I hate stress! thank you for sharing this...I found you through Follow Friend Friday I am now following your blog check mine out... loa20s.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Lourdes(love your name)! Thanks so much for stopping by and following...headed to your blog now. Have a wonderful weekend!;-)

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  19. What a timely post, and I think everyone should read it because I think half the world is walking around filled with bitterness toward someone or something, I liken them to ticking time bombs. Doing some blog hopping and dropped by to become your newest GFC follower. Feel free to check out my blog at http://www.kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com when you get a chance. Have a blessed Sunday.

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    1. Hi Brenda!! Yes, that's exactly what they're like...ticking time bombs. Thanks so much for dropping by and following! I will definitely head over to your blog! May you have a blessed evening as well!;-)

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  20. Great post Michell, thanks for sharing!
    Cheers,
    Char

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    1. Hi Char! Thanks so much for dropping by...have a wonderful weekend!! ;-)

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  21. Hi Ala! Thanks so much for dropping by and following...headed over to your blog now! Have a blessed day!

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  22. Hi Ala! Just dropped by your blog and realized I visited yesterday and followed, lol! Have a good one!

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Thanks so much for dropping by...I really appreciate it! Please check back for a response to your comment, as I post all responses to comments here on the blog, not via email. Please note, as this is a Christian blog...any comment that contains offensive and/or inappropriate language will be sent to the authorities...NAH, but seriously though, they WILL BE deleted. :-) Have a great day...I call you blessed! ;-)